Writing with Discipline

People often tell me they admire my discipline. I am a self-starter who can accomplish many tasks in a day, with or without supervision or firm deadlines. Yet the practices that I care about the most often go unheeded. I struggle to commit to daily meditation, for example.  I often settle for a minute or two of focused breathing while lying in bed, just before I drift off to sleep. This is not particularly unique. Many of us fail to accomplish those tasks that mean the most to us. Still, it is a frustrating tendency. It is most especially frustrating when I look honestly at how often I write poetry and find that, the activity which is most important in my life is almost always playing second fiddle to job hunting, social networking, and even exercise.

 

A mentor of mine once told me that every writer she’s ever encountered has this same problem. From her point of view, the act of writing asks us to tap deeply into our souls, into the essence of our truth, and then to tell the truth about our own truth. That sounds truly intimidating, now doesn’t it? It is. And so, while we writers are in love with our own words and opinions; while we are happiest putting pen to paper, we often do not.

 

I have committed myself to a variety of self-development programs over the years. (This could be another example of discipline, but I suspect it has more to do with perfectionism). I have a certification in Empowerment Life Coaching. I speak with my own Life Coach regularly. I belong to a spiritual community, practice yoga, even pray (though not to a higher power recognized by any particular religion). I take self-motivated courses through powerful books like The Rhythm of Compassion by Gail Straub and The Energy of Money by Maria Nemeth. Well over a year ago, I started The Artist‘s Way by Julia Cameron, who takes readers through a spiritual course to “discover and recover your creative self.” It is a wonderful resource, but because I was doing oh-so-many self development courses at once, I put the book down three quarters of the way through. I have just picked it back up again.

 

Cameron recommends two daily practices to nourish one’s creativity. 1) Journal three pages each morning, about anything and nothing in particular. This is a way of clearing the slate for the start of the day. 2) Take an “Artist Date” at least once a week, by oneself. The book encourages solo activities that are light-hearted and engage all five senses, like going for a hike or cooking an exciting meal. I like to explore antique shops. In addition to these regular practices, readers are encouraged to do one nice thing for themselves each day, and there are a host of recommended activities for each week of the twelve-week course.

 

In chapter ten, I had the opportunity to take a look at bad habits that I use to avoid making art (in my case, writing). Once discovered, I was invited to make “Bottom Lines” or boundaries to help me limit that bad habit and realize my goal of writing more regularly. I identified the following bad habits that I use to delay my writing:

1) Drinking too much coffee. (I don’t know about anyone else, but when my brain is overly-caffeinated, it becomes extremely foggy and dysfunctional).

2) Technological distractions including Facebook, Twitter, email, and general internet browsing. ‘Nuf said.

3) Job hunting and worrying about MONEY. (Again, see: The Energy of Money. I’m hoping to find some breathing room as I continue this work).

4) Sleeping in. (Sometimes my dreams are so interesting!)

5) Settling in for a nice relaxing movie with my partner. (I mean, it was his idea. I’m off the hook, right?)

 

I set some bottom lines. I’m not perfect with them, and I am free to change them in order to fit my needs. They are mine, after all. For now, I’m doing my best to stick to the following:

1) No more than one cup of coffee and one cup of (green) tea per day. No caffeine after 3pm.

2) Internet and phone OFF, disconnected,  or in another room during writing time.

3) No more than two hours of active job hunting per day until I have met some basic financial goals, at which point I can take a break.

4) My work day starts by 10AM no matter if I’m working from home or out of the house.

5) Before engaging in social activity, PAUSE. Take a beat. Ask myself, what do I need and want, really, right now?

 

In addition to my three morning pages, I decided to build time into my morning to write poetry. As I said, I am not perfect (despite my desire to be). I still don’t write poetry everyday. I will admit to two cups of coffee and a 10:30am start this morning. (I had trouble sleeping last night…) But having boundaries helps immensely. I know, because right now, my notebook overfloweth.

 

Respond to this post! How do your nourish your creativity? What helps you cultivate healthy discipline in your artistic life?